Just two days after winning the Indianapolis 500, Dan Wheldon received a hero’s welcome in Fort Worth on Tuesday afternoon.

Instead of riding in on a horse to Frankie’s Sports Bar in Sundance Square, Wheldon arrived in an Oak Farms Dairy milk truck. A crowd of 100 fans were on hand to greet him and Wheldon, along with Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage, celebrated by toasting with champagne glasses filled with milk, which is the traditional drink given to the winner of the Indy 500.

“As an IndyCar driver, we are extremely excited about coming to Texas,” Wheldon said to the crowd about his return to the Lone Star State. “It’s always a fantastic crowd and this race has been part of the calendar for a long time. I thank you for always coming out in the thousands to the speedway because we love racing there.”

TMS officials said that during his visit to Texas on Tuesday, Wheldon helped honor a few other heros. At one point during the event, Wheldon was able to talk and compete with soldiers of United States Army stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, through the nonprofit organization, “Pro vs. GI Joe.”

Bryan Herta Autosport driver Dan Wheldon talks with the crowd about winning the Indy 500 as Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage looks on during the Indy 500 Champion's luncheon at Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday in Fort Worth. Wheldon was in Fort Worth to promote the historic Firestone Twin 275s on June 11 at Texas Motor Speedway. (Courtesy photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images for TMS).

Major David Wishart, a Fort Worth resident and Abilene native, enlisted the help of Staff Sergeant Michael R Czajka, of Garden City, Mich.; Sergeant Anthony Atiyeh, of Livonia, Mich.; and Sergeant Jacob Wright, of Onstead, Mich., to compete against Wheldon in the Xbox game, “Call of Duty: Black OPS” live via Internet.

Officials said that Wheldon was teamed up with wounded soldier, Staff Sergeant William Moleon, and Wishart’s son, Joe, who currently is a senior at the University of Texas’ ROTC program.

Sunday’s Indy 500 winner and the trio helped pull off a stunning upset as they defeated the soldiers stationed in Afghanistan in the online game.

Great American Sweetheart Becky applauds the arrival of Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon in an Oak Farms Dairy milk truck during the Indy 500 Champion's luncheon at Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday in Fort Worth. Wheldon was in Fort Worth to promote the historic Firestone Twin 275s on June 11 at Texas Motor Speedway. (Courtesy photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images for TMS)

“It’s always nice to do things like this, especially after winning a big race on Memorial Day weekend,” Wheldon said. “I’m glad I was allowed to hit the reset button a lot because otherwise I would have been out of the game in two seconds.”

TMS officials said Major Wishart, who is an Airborne Ranger in the U.S. Army, was able to speak with his son and son and girlfriend, Rebel Heasley who were both present at the event.

To honor the sacrifices of Major Wishart, Wheldon presented a signed Charlie 1 Horse cowboy hat – a customary gift awarded to race winners at Texas Motor Speedway – to Wishart’s son and girlfriend, Rebel Heasley, to present to him upon his return back to Texas.

“I’m amazed at the stories I hear with what goes on over there and to think that they are representing us and allowing us to run in our country freely is something that I’m extremely proud of,” Wheldon said. “I personally think what I did Sunday by far pales in comparison. They deserve way more accolades for what they do because it’s truly phenomenal.”

Last Sunday at Indy, Wheldon earned his second career Indy 500 victory driving for the single-car team of Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb/Agajanian. The free agent IndyCar Series driver has been without a ride for the first four races of the IndyCar Series season.

The IZOD IndyCar Series second biggest race of the season – the Firestone Twin 275s – will be held at Texas Motor Speedway on June 11. Wheldon is currently without a ride for that race and he hopes to secure a ride for the race at Texas and quite possibly the rest of the 2011 season.

“I sure as hell hope so,” Wheldon said of racing next weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. “It didn’t hurt our chances doing so well on Sunday, and I’d like to not only be a part of it (Firestone Twin 275s), but win them both.”

Wheldon, who has seven top-10 finishes in 11 career starts, including four among the top five, has never won an IndyCar Series race at TMS.

TMS officials said that should Wheldon not secure a ride for the Firestone Twin 275s, he will serve as a color analyst for VERSUS, which will be broadcasting the Firestone Twin 275s live beginning at 7:45 p.m. CT.

“I would absolutely love to be part of it,” Wheldon said. “Eddie (Gossage, Texas Motor Speedway president) does a tremendous job promoting here and I think this is truly a great concept for not only the drivers but the fans as well. I love Texas and the thing that bugs me about this race track is the one thing I hate about it – I haven’t won here yet. I want to be the one shooting those guns off, so I am going to do everything in my power to be here.”

TMS officials said that tickets for the historic Firestone Twin 275s are available by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com, or by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500.

Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, center, poses with Joe Wishart, left, and Rebel Heasley, right, during the Indy 500 Champion's luncheon at Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday in Fort Worth. Wishart's father, and Heasley's boyfriend, respectively, is serving in the armed forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Wheldon participated in the 'Pro vs. GI Joe' video game competition playing against his soldiers in a game of 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' over the internet. Wheldon was in Fort Worth to promote the historic Firestone Twin 275s on June 11 at Texas Motor Speedway. (Courtesy photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images for TMS).

Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, left, and Joe Wishart, right, play 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' with soldiers stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan over the internet in the 'Pro vs GI Joe' competition during the Indy 500 Champion's luncheon at Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday in Fort Worth. Wishart's father, Major David Wishart, is serving in the armed forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan and his son and Wheldon competed against some of his soldiers. (Courtesy photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images for TMS).

Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, left, and Joe Wishart, right, play 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' with soldiers stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan over the internet in the 'Pro vs GI Joe' competition during the Indy 500 Champion's luncheon at Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday in Fort Worth. Wishart's father, Major David Wishart, is serving in the armed forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan and his son's appearance was a surprise. (Courtesy photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images for TMS).

Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon extends his thanks and admiration to Major David Wishart, Staff Sergeant Anthony Atiyeh, Staff Sergeant Michael Czajka and Staff Sergeant Jacob Wright who are serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan during the Indy 500 Champion's luncheon at Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday in Fort Worth. Wheldon played the soldiers in a game of Call of Duty: Black Ops as part of the Pro vs. GI Joe program. (Courtesy photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images for TMS).

Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon, left, autographs Texas Motor Speedway Victory Lane cowboy hats for the U.S. soldiers in Kandahar, Afghanistan he competed against in the Pro vs. GI Joe program during the Indy 500 Champion's luncheon at Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesday in Fort Worth. He is joined (L-R) by Rebel Heasley and Joe Wishart, girlfriend and son, respectively, of Major David Wishart who was part of the group of soldiers from Kandahar, Afghanistan, that visited with Wheldon via video conference. Wheldon was in Fort Worth to promote the historic Firestone Twin 275s on June 11 at Texas Motor Speedway. (Courtesy photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images for TMS).